A former marine engineer who was exposed asbestos during his time in the forces has won a legal bid for compensation.

Colin Thorne was diagnosed with mesothelioma - an incurable cancer which affects the lining of the lungs - in December 2013 because of asbestos.

Now specialist lawyers from Irwin Mitchell have secured him an disclosed settlement from the Ministry of Defence, where he worked between 1971 and 1995, after they admitted responsibility for the 59-year-old’s exposure to asbestos.

Colin, of Wardley, Gateshead, said: “The mesothelioma diagnosis I received completely knocked me and my wife for six, particularly as it has been caused simply by going to work and doing my job.

“I am no longer able to work and struggle to go out as much as I used to because of the breathlessness I experience.

“We are extremely concerned what the future holds for us as my condition worsens and we are still struggling to come to terms with things.

“Ultimately, we feel extremely angry that I was not given the equipment that would have prevented me from inhaling asbestos while working onboard Royal Navy vessels.

“I am delighted to have received this settlement from the MoD and that they have been held to account for failing to protect me from the dangers of asbestos.

“The settlement will be used to fund the care I will need as my condition worsens and to provide some financial security for my wife.”

Colin Thorne from Wardley

Colin, a dad-of-three was exposed to asbestos when he carried out repairs to pipework on a number of vessels and during cleaning procedures that would take place on board nuclear submarines.

He told lawyers that he was not offered any form of breathing mask or respiratory equipment while working with the pipework on board Royal Navy vessels and measures were not in place to prevent the spread of asbestos dust.

Roger Maddocks, an expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who represented Colin, said: “The failure of the Royal Navy to protect its workers from the dangers of asbestos in this case is unacceptable.

“Colin worked as a marine engineer for 25 years and spent a lot of that time working closely with asbestos lagging and in a very dusty environment.

“Sadly, he was not warned of the dangers to his health asbestos posed and was not provided with equipment that would have prevented him from inhaling the deadly dust and fibres.

“He has now been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a very aggressive and incurable form of cancer, as a result of these failings by his employer.

“We are delighted to have been able to secure Colin and his wife, Deborah, a settlement from the Ministry of Defence, which will go some way to providing them with financial security in this difficult time.”

Colin’s payout comes as the North East appoints a nurse to deal specifically with victims of mesothelioma.

Leah Taylor will be available to offer support to people diagnosed with the life-threatening respiratory condition in Northumberland and North Tyneside and work with other regional teams to improve access to support groups, treatments and information.